Deion Sanders shows true colors with Travis Hunter stealing spotlight at Colorado

Deion Sanders says he is happy to pass the torch to Colorado superstar Travis Hunter as the two-way playmaker steals the spotlight in Boulder.

Hall of Famer Sanders made a huge splash when he took charge of the program last year, and convincing Hunter to follow him to the Rockies from Jackson State was one of his first acts as head coach.

Hunter wasted no time in making a huge impression at the FBS level, delivering mind-boggling plays on both sides of the ball, and he is the second-favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, narrowly trailing Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the eyes of the oddsmakers.

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Ahead of Saturday's clash with No. 18 Kansas State at Folsom Field, Sanders was asked how he felt about Hunter – a potential No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft – taking the spotlight away from him.

"It's not me against Travis," Sanders replied. "I had my turn, man. I'm not a doorknob anymore. You can't just turn me on and off like a light switch anymore. I don't do that.

"Travis is everything. He is 'it.' It's his turn now. I want him to have all the accolades, all the praise, all the love, all the attention and all the focus that he desires. I've had my turn."

"I'm that old boxing coach in the corner that says 'Left. Right. Left. Right. Hit him right here. Come on over to the corner'. Let me tell you this: That's who I am right now. I've had my turn. It's not me against him."

Hunter has emerged as one of the best players in the nation on both sides of the ball. As a wide receiver, he has 46 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns, while as a defensive back he has racked up 15 tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble, locking down his side of the field in the process.

Sanders, a two-way star in his playing days, explained the keys to Hunter's greatness during an appearance on ESPN's "College Gameday" on Saturday morning.

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"He don't drink, he don't smoke, goes home right after practice to study a tonne of film. He is one of the best human beings I know," Sanders said. "Travis loves the dern game of football. We don't have to worry about what he's going to do on a Saturday because we already know."

The Buffaloes (4-1) are 3.5-point underdogs heading into Saturday's game against the Wildcats (4-1), but Sanders' team is feeling fresh after a bye week. And the program has plenty of momentum, scoring a huge upset win over UCF two weeks ago.